Latest news with #SouthendAirport
BBC News
7 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Grass fire at Barling Airstrip in Essex extinguished
A large grass fire at an airstrip has been extinguished by Fire Service was called to the site at Barling Magna, near Southend, at 14:17 BST on Tuesday and had put it out by 20: 37 acres (15 hectares) of grassland was alight, with six crews tackling the flames at the height of the returned overnight and in the morning to check for hotspots and carry out damping down. Southend Airport reopens after Sunday's fatal plane crashThe service said an investigation would take place to establish the cause of the fire, near Little Wakering Creek. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Sky News
16-07-2025
- General
- Sky News
All four people killed in Southend plane crash thought to be foreign nationals, police say
All four people who died in Sunday's plane crash at Southend Airport are thought to have been foreign nationals, police have said. The medical transport aircraft had dropped off a patient and was beginning its journey back to the Netherlands when it crashed at about 3.48pm on Sunday. Two Dutch pilots were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers, the PA news agency understands. On board too was a Chilean nurse, 31-year-old Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, also known as Fena, Sky News understands. No details have been released about the fourth person's nationality, though Essex Police said the deceased were all foreign nationals. 1:24 John Johnson, who was at the airport with his wife and children, said he saw a "big fireball" exploding across the sky as the plane plunged "head first into the ground". "We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us," he said. "The aircraft then turned 180 degrees to face its take-off, powered up [and] rolled down the runway. "It took off and about three or four seconds [later] it started to bank heavily to its left, and then within a few seconds of that happening, it more or less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground." Mr Johnson added: "There was a big fireball. Obviously, everybody was in shock [after] witnessing it." Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said the plane "got into difficulty" shortly after taking off and "crashed within the airport boundary". He added: "Sadly, we can now confirm that all four people on board died. "We are working to officially confirm their identities. At this stage, we believe all four are foreign nationals." Ambulances and fire crews were also called in. Southend Airport said it would be "closed until further notice" and urged people to contact their airlines. Its staff are "working closely with the emergency services and air accident investigators". Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, confirmed its flight SUZ1 had been "involved in an accident" at the airport and its thoughts were with "everyone who has been affected". The plane involved is reportedly a Beech B200 Super King Air with twin-propellers. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said a "multi-disciplinary team" arrived at the site on Sunday afternoon. Lisa Fitzsimons, a senior investigator, said it is "too early to speculate" on what may have caused the crash. 0:47 'Airport in lockdown' Wren Stranix, 16, from Woodbridge in Suffolk, was in another aircraft waiting to take off for Newquay in Cornwall with her family and boyfriend when the plane came down. They watched as the emergency services arrived and were unable to leave their seats. "The flight attendant didn't know what was going on," she told Sky News. "They said the plane had exploded and they didn't know if it was safe or not. The airport was in lockdown." EasyJet, one of only a few airlines to use the airport, said all its remaining flights to and from Southend had been "diverted" or were "no longer able to operate". David Burton-Sampson, the MP for Southend West and Leigh, asked people to keep away from the area and "allow the emergency services to do their work" in a post on social media. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was "monitoring the situation closely and receiving regular updates". Sir Keir Starmer, the prime minister, said it was "terrible news that four people [had] tragically lost their lives" and he thanked the emergency services.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Southend Airport partially reopens after plane crash killed four people
Southend Airport has partially reopened after being closed following a plane crash that killed four people. Flights to and from the airport in had been suspended since Sunday afternoon when moments after taking off. A statement from the airport on Wednesday read: "London Southend Airport is today partially reopening for a small number of flights, following Sunday's tragic air accident and subsequent closure. "Four easyJet flights will land at London Southend Airport this evening (Wednesday 16 July). Eastern Airways will also operate an empty positioning flight. "Normal airline operations resume from the morning of Thursday 17 July." The crash saw a medical flight, chartered for a patient to be brought to the UK for treatment, come down within the airport boundary shortly after take off. It is understood the patient had been dropped off and the 12-metre plane was bound for its base in the Netherlands. The four people who died were two male pilots, understood to be Dutch, a female nurse and a male doctor. Reports have named the nurse as Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, a 31-year-old German national originally from Chile, and as German national Dr Matthias Eyl, 46. "Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives on Sunday," the Southend Airport statement continued. "Throughout the course of this week, we have continued to support the air accident investigation team as they carry out their work." Read more: Essex Police said it had recovered three bodies on Tuesday, and the fourth was expected to be recovered "within the next 24 hours". The force added that it is working with the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB), which is involved in "victim recovery activities, examination of the wreckage and evidence gathering". One witness, who was at the airport with his wife and children, said he saw a "big fireball" exploding across the sky as the plane plunged "head first into the ground". The pilots had waved at his family moments earlier as they taxied the plane to the take-off position, John Johnson said.
Scottish Sun
16-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Southend Airport reopens to the public after deadly crash – with flights to restart
AIRPORT HORROR Southend Airport reopens to the public after deadly crash – with flights to restart Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LONDON Southend Airport will partially reopen today following a plane crash that occurred on Sunday, killing four people. A Beech B200 Super King Air aircraft was flying to Lelystad in the Netherlands when it crashed shortly after taking off from the airport on Sunday afternoon. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 London Southend Airport has reopened to the public Credit: Getty 2 The airport has remained closed since Sunday Credit: Louis Wood Witnesses of the incident described seeing a "huge fireball" just before 4pm. All four passengers onboard the flight were killed. Other witnesses also shared hot the pilots had been waving a children shortly before the crash occurred. The airport closed on Sunday following the incident and has remained fully closed until today. A spokesperson for the airport said: "London Southend Airport is today partially reopening for a small number of flights, following Sunday's tragic air accident and subsequent closure. "Four easyJet flights will land at London Southend Airport this evening. "Eastern Airways will also operate an empty positioning flight. "Normal airline operations resume from the morning of Thursday 17 July 2025. "Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives on Sunday. "Throughout the course of this week, we have continued to support the air accident investigation team as they carry out their work. "Our airport staff and wider team are doing all they can to help during this incredibly difficult time, and will of course be on-hand to assist passengers as we return to service. "The understanding and kindness shown by our local community has been incredible, and we are grateful for their support." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Southend plane crash: Second victim named as 'warm and honest' doctor
The second victim of the horror plane crash at Southend Airport yesterday has been identified. The names of the passengers have not been officially revealed by authorities, but Essex Police yesterday confirmed two pilots and two passengers on board the medical transport plane had been killed. Dr Mathias Eyl, 46, was one of the four onboard a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, according to Essex Live. Essex Police previously confirmed all four passengers were believed to be foreign nationals. It's thought two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were also onboard. It's understood the plane had dropped a patient off at Southend and was due to return to its base. Witnesses told of seeing a 'fireball', while images of fire and black smoke were shared on social media. The airport will stay closed until further notice. Dr Eyl, 46, is reportedly from the Kleinmaischeid municipality in Germany. He was described as 'a doctor, companion and friend' in a social media tribute translated into English. It added: 'With his warm, honest, and humorous nature, he has not only provided medical assistance, but shaped our community. 'He was a man who listened, tackled and encouraged. Exactly when it came down to it. His commitment was not taken for granted, his loss is immeasurable.' Lisa Fitzsimons of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said 'it is too early to speculate' on what may have caused the crash. Essex Police said the aircraft "got into difficulty" shortly after take-off at around 4pm on Sunday, crashing within the airport boundary. "If there are safety lessons to be learned, we will make recommendations that aim to prevent a similar accident occurring," Ms Fitzsimons said. They added: "Our focus is on getting physical evidence from the site and interviewing witnesses. Our thoughts are with families and friends of everyone involved." A spokesperson for Zeusch Aviation previously said: "It is with deep sadness that we confirm there were no survivors among the people on board flight SUZ1. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. "Zeusch Aviation continues to fully cooperate with the relevant investigative authorities and is providing all possible support to those affected. Further updates will be shared as new information becomes available."
